Passion or "Promising" Research Topic?

[Meraki]

I did a project last semester that came out great, but wasn't in my primary area of interest. Although I enjoyed aspects of it, I wasn't in love with the project, and I find another area of research more interesting. However, my project gained attention from faculty who are now encouraging me to continue with it for my thesis topic because it seems promising (publishable). I'm torn - should I forget about my primary research interest (which is not as well-developed yet as the project I did last semester, although I have time to work on it) and pursue this other topic that is somewhat interesting, but not something I want to do long-term? I realize it may be a wise career decision since I am getting such positive feedback and results. But if I were to do that and then change my area of research after graduating, how might that be perceived? It is all within the same field, just different topics of focus. My goal is to work in academia.

I guess I'm looking for insights from others who may have pursued research that was not in your area of initial interest, and how that turned out for you. Did you make a switch after graduating? Did you burn out on the less desirable topic? 

 

[fuzzylogician]

Are we talking MA or PhD? 

[Meraki]

PhD. The thesis is part of the comprehensive evaluation, and most often becomes the dissertation topic, at least they strongly suggest that in my department.

[fuzzylogician]

In that case, your dissertation project might not define the researcher you'll become, but it will certainly influence the way you present yourself when you go on the job market your first few years out of grad school. You'll find yourself saying things like "I am broadly interested in XYZ; in my dissertation, I specifically study ABC and conclude that [blah]" fairly often when introducing yourself to people. Your dissertation topic will obviously change how the ensuing conversation goes and how people then perceive you. It might change what jobs you're perceived as most qualified for. Now, that said, it's also not the be-all end-all of your career. There's something to be said for picking the more promising project, especially if the other project is in a similar area so it doesn't change your academic profile as much. Another important factor is who you'll end up working with. A wonderful topic with a difficult advisor might not be worth it. But also keep in mind that the dissertation writing process is hard, even when you're very passionate about your project, so you should be at least somewhat enthusiastic about whatever you choose now. Something my advisors said to me that I came to appreciate a lot was not to put everything in my dissertation, and instead to have a project that's in earlier stages that could become my first post-PhD project. This was important because it removed a lot of the struggles that I saw some peers go through trying to figure out what to do next, now that this huge project they invested a few years of their lives in was suddenly over. So even if you don't pick a project to run with now, it doesn't mean you can't work on it later. This is an important decision, but it doesn't have to solely define who you become as an academic. 

I hope you're noticing from this that I'm not going to tell you what to do. There are pros and cons to either decision and you need to make your own. 

[Meraki]

I appreciate your insights and am not expecting anyone to tell me what to do. I'm mostly interested in how I'd be perceived on the job market as you stated, and what might happen if a department hires me thinking I'm an X researcher and then I start doing Y research before I'm tenured. I know sometimes hires are made based on research area in order to diversify the department in a certain way, or to maintain a specialty area. 

So far I am leaning toward the "promising' topic for a thesis/dissertation, but not ready to completely let go of the one I most enjoy. I was hoping to hear others' stories who have found themselves in a similar situation, and how it turned out.

I like what you said about "saving" some work for your post-PhD position. I've not heard that advice before, but it's definitely a great plan to assist in one's early career.

[fuzzylogician]

8 hours ago, Sangria1700 said:

I'm mostly interested in how I'd be perceived on the job market as you stated, and what might happen if a department hires me thinking I'm an X researcher and then I start doing Y research before I'm tenured. I know sometimes hires are made based on research area in order to diversify the department in a certain way, or to maintain a specialty area. 

There won't be a uniform answer to this question, unfortunately. It's going to depend on the job. Generally speaking, you're often hired into a particular specialty and that's going to affect your teaching and to some extent, your advising expectations. Research is usually more flexible. It's well known that scholars develop in unpredictable ways, so you may gravitate toward field Y even though you were hired as an X specialist. I want to say that that shouldn't cause you trouble if you are productive in your research on Y, but I think it can be the case in some situations that departments are unhappy with such a development, and it might have some influence on tenure decisions. It's honestly impossible to tell how often that happens and actually causes someone to lose their tenure case. What is entirely possible is that you change your interests but are still expected to teach in your original field and to advise work in that area, maybe even to bring in grant money in that field, if that's something that is relevant for you. Something to keep in mind and discuss with your advisors, if they are open to the conversation.  

[TMP]

On 6/17/2018 at 8:02 PM, Sangria1700 said:

I appreciate your insights and am not expecting anyone to tell me what to do. I'm mostly interested in how I'd be perceived on the job market as you stated, and what might happen if a department hires me thinking I'm an X researcher and then I start doing Y research before I'm tenured. I know sometimes hires are made based on research area in order to diversify the department in a certain way, or to maintain a specialty area. 

So far I am leaning toward the "promising' topic for a thesis/dissertation, but not ready to completely let go of the one I most enjoy. I was hoping to hear others' stories who have found themselves in a similar situation, and how it turned out.

I like what you said about "saving" some work for your post-PhD position. I've not heard that advice before, but it's definitely a great plan to assist in one's early career.

One of the critical things you will want to think about is the potential for funding.  I'm not sure what field or discipline you are in.  Certainly, if you are in humanities or social sciences, you will need a compelling, interesting project that has the potential to change the way the society or/and the government thinks about the problem.  

Just remember, whichever project you use, you will be married to it until defense and potentially until published as a book.